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Leaside (/'liːˌsaɪd/) is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located northeast of Downtown Toronto, in the vicinity of Eglinton Avenue East and Bayview Avenue. It is one of the most expensive and exclusive neighbourhoods in the city.[1][2] The area takes its name from William Lea and the Lea family, who settled there in the early years of the 19th century.[3] The area first developed as farmland along with Toronto through the 19th century. It was incorporated as a town in 1913. In 1967, it amalgamated with the township of East York[4] to form the borough of East York. In 1998, it became part of the city of Toronto.[5]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

The general area of Toronto had been inhabited by various First Nations at least as early as 3000 BCE, when the Laurentian peoples moved south into the area just east of Toronto.[6] The first European known to travel to the area was Étienne Brûlé, who passed through the area in the early part of the 17th century.[citation needed] Surveying by Europeans began in earnest in the 1780s, with people fleeing the American Revolution.[7]

John Lea Sr. was born in 1773 in Lancashire and immigrated to York, Upper Canada in 1819, coming from Philadelphia in the United States where they immigrated to in 1818.[8][9] Before immigrating, he married Mary Hutchison (born in Cumberland) and they had their first child in Lanchester on May 28, 1814 and named him William Lea.[9] He purchased Lot 13 in the third concession from Alexander McDonnell on January 23, 1820 and settled there with his family.[10] John Lea Sr. had three children - William, John Jr. and Mary. In 1851, William Lea bought land just south of his father's farm, and began constructing a large, octagonal brick house, which he named "Leaside". The house was completed in 1854, the same year John Lea Sr. died, aged 81.[11][12] The building served not only as a home and court house for William Lea's family, but after he became a Magistrate in the County of York, soon served as a residence, a town hall and a post office as well.[13] The property became the possession of William's eldest son Joseph upon his death in 1893. Joseph lived in the octagonal house until 1903. Afterwards, it was abandoned and later demolished by the Canadian Northern Railway in 1913. The company later set fire to the old landmark in order to clear the land to make way for the company's proposed sidings and townsite.[14]

Original Leaside railway station in 1899. The station was completed in 1894 by Canadian Pacific Railway.

In the 1870s, the Ontario and Quebec Railway Company purchased a few acres (hectares) of land on the south-east corner of William Lea's property to run its railway across. The Ontario and Quebec Railway Company encountered financial difficulties in 1884, and leased part of its railway, including the section of track running through Leaside, to the Canadian Pacific Railway for 999 years.[15] The Canadian Pacific Railway decided to establish a maintenance stop and a sliding by-pass on the railway on the land purchased from William Lea, which was considered attractive because it was uniformly flat. The station was completed in September 1894 and named "Leaside" in honour of William Lea.[16][17] In 1892, a junction was built in the Leaside area, and a railway line named the Don Branch was constructed south along the Don River towards the original Union Station on Toronto's waterfront.[17]

Development of a model town

[edit]
Road map of Leaside (highlighted in green) in 1915. A planned community was developed around the railway's maintenance yard in the early 20th century.

In 1912, William Mackenzie and Donald Mann, the owners of the Canadian Northern Railway, hired landscape architect Frederick Todd to plan development for a community to be built around a maintenance yard for their railway,[18] which ran beside the CP lines through the Leaside area. Mackenzie and Todd founded the York Land Company to purchase land for such a town. The company purchased over 1,000 acres (4.0 km2; 400 ha), including most of the third concession and some land north of Eglinton Avenue.[16] The purchased lands extended from the railway tracks in the south to three farms north of Eglinton Avenue, from Leslie Street in the east to Bayview Avenue in the west.[19] The town of Leaside was planned by Todd for the company, which put its name to many of the local streets; Laird Drive, Hanna Road, and Wicksteed Avenue all bear the name of Canadian Northern Railway company executives.[18] The new community was planned with commercial areas, residential areas, and a town centre west of Laird Drive, and space was laid out east of Laird Drive for industrial development. The goal of the company was to create Leaside as a new upper class residential area of Toronto, the "New Rosedale".[19] The developers first approached the town of North Toronto, hoping that North Toronto would annex the area and provide services such as streets, sewers, and public transportation. The town council of North Toronto refused.[20] A similar request to the city of Toronto was met with a similar reply. With their attempts to include Leaside within another city or town rebuffed, Colonel Davidson and Randolph McRae applied to the province of Ontario to incorporate Leaside as a town.[citation needed]

The Town of Leaside was officially incorporated on April 23, 1913.[21] The population of Leaside was 43.[20] The Canadian Northern Railway company approved Todd's town plan on May 8, 1913.[22] A town council for Leaside was elected on May 8, 1913[20] and they approved the plan for the town on May 21, 1913, which was the final legal approval needed before the plan could be implemented. On June 21, 1913, the Toronto World carried the announcement that properties in Leaside's planned community would be marked in the fall of that year.[22] In September 1913, lots went on sale within the planned community.[citation needed]

In 1914, the industrial area that had been set aside east of Laird Drive received its first tenant. Canada Wire and Cable began construction of a factory for production of 9.2 inch shells for World War I.[23] In addition to the new factory, Canada Wire and Cable moved their other Toronto production plants to the same location to increase efficiency. Canada Wire and Cable also created the subsidiary company Leaside Munitions Company to oversee shell production.[23] Soon after, construction began on a federal government owned airstrip, named Leaside Aerodrome. The York Land Company leased about 220 acres (0.9 km2; 89.0 ha) to the government for the airfield, between Wicksteed Avenue and Eglinton Avenue.[23] On May 21, 1917 construction began on the airfield. At the close of the war, there were accommodations for around 1000 military personnel.[24]

Members of the Toronto Flight Club prepare to take-off from Leaside Aerodrome, 1930. The Aerodrome was operated from 1917 to 1944.

While the industrial development in the area went ahead as planned during World War One, the anticipated residential development did not occur.[25] As late as 1929 the population remained under 500.[26] World War I spurred the demand for industrial output but diminished the call for new housing. The bankruptcy of Canadian Northern Railway left the project at a loss and Leaside's isolated location made it unappealing to workers from Toronto.[27]

Growth as a suburb of Toronto

[edit]
Federal census
population history
of Leaside
YearPop.±%
1921325—    
1931938+188.6%
19416,183+559.2%
195116,233+162.5%
195616,538+1.9%
196118,579+12.3%
196621,250+14.4%
Source: Statistics Canada
[28][29]
Homes in Leaside
Garden Court Apartments built between 1939 and 1941, designed by Forsey Page & Steele

After the war, the strip became the site of Canada's first delivery of airmail on June 18, 1918, when pilot Brian Peck delivered 120 letters from Montreal, Quebec.[18] This delivery was initially organised at the behest of some of his friends in Montreal who wanted letters delivered to Toronto; however, when Canada Post heard of the plans, they gathered together the letters as a test of an airmail system.[24] After the war, with little need for shells and other war materials, the factories of the Leaside Munition Company were closed. These buildings were quickly occupied by the Durant Motor Company, which produced cars named Durants and Stars as well as the Rugby truck.[24]

Leaside's growth slowed after World War I, with its primary industry being war industry. The existing houses had all been built for employees of the Leaside Munitions Company by the company.[30] However, at this time Leaside stood on the edge of Toronto and was increasingly an appealing place for investment. Investors from Baltimore bought property that had previously belonged to Robert T. Davies for the construction of a race track. They formed the Thorncliffe Park Racing and Breeding Association Ltd. to operate the track.[30]

Street view of Leaside Viaduct in April 1928, nearly six months after its official opening.

The Leaside Viaduct was completed on October 29, 1927, providing easy connection between east Toronto and Leaside. This led to the rapid growth of Leaside at the time, and in the future.[31] The impassibility of the Don River valley had previously made it difficult for people employed in Toronto to reside in Leaside. The same month, an underpass on Millwood Road was opened through the valley.[25]

In 1928, the Lincoln Electric Company of Canada Ltd. relocated from Toronto's west end to Leaside. The company originally sold Lincoln motors in Canada, but incorporated in 1930 and began the manufacture of motors in Leaside.[32] At the onset of the Great Depression, the Durant Motor Company ran into financial troubles. The last cars were produced in 1933, and the buildings were occupied by the Canada Wire and Cable company.[24][33]

At the start of World War II, Lincoln Electric moved their operations to Leaside industrial park, adjacent to the Canada Wire and Cable plant. The new location, constructed in 1940, covered 300 square feet (28 m2).[34] On July 16, 1940, Research Enterprises Limited was incorporated. The company operated only during the war, closing in 1946. It was, however, the largest single employer in Leaside's history, employing over 7500 men and women at its peak.[35] The site manufactured military radio equipment and optical supplies, with a total value of $220 million (CDN) in goods produced during the war.[citation needed]

Aerial photograph of Leaside, 1942. During the Second World War, the area was home to several industrial operations.

As part of a Royal Canadian Air Force public relations plan, the town of Leaside officially "adopted" No. 432 Squadron RCAF of No. 6 Group RCAF. Formed and adopted on 1 May 1943, the squadron took the town's name as its nickname, becoming 432 "Leaside" squadron RCAF. The sponsorship lasted the duration of the war.[citation needed]

In 1945, at the end of World War II, the population of Leaside stood at 9,800.[36] In 1949, Leaside's population had grown to 14,826.[36]

On May 14, 1952, the Sunnybrook Plaza, located on the north-east corner of Bayview Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East, became one of the first shopping centres in Toronto.[37] The site was previously a marsh where people dug loam for their gardens.[27]

In 1952 the Lincoln Electric company expanded to a 2,200-square-foot (200 m2) plant, and their site expanded to cover almost 7 acres (28,000 m2; 2.8 ha).[34] They leased an additional 500-square-foot (46 m2) building in Leaside to house their distribution center.[citation needed]

The last horse race at Thorncliffe Park was run on June 23, 1952.[31] Investors from Toronto bought the racetrack that year.[38]

The rapid growth of Thorncliffe in the 1950s necessitated the construction of a second north–south bridge across the Don Valley. In 1955, Leaside's population had grown to 16,779 [36] and the Leaside town council approved the second bridge. Construction of the bridge was completed on September 7, 1960 and it was opened by Leslie Frost. The bridge was named the Charles Hiscott Bridge in honour of Leaside's mayor at the time.[31]

Amalgamation and recent history

[edit]

In 1967, Leaside amalgamated with the township of East York[39] to form the borough of East York. As such Leaside became a neighbourhood within East York.

Passenger train service to Leaside Station ended in 1970, and the station was closed.[40] The station would reopen briefly in the 1980s as a restaurant, but would see no further passenger traffic. Leaside Airport fell into disuse, and in 1971 the last hangar was demolished.[41]

Canada Wire and Cable was purchased by Alcatel in 1991, and the operations relocated to Markham in 1996, with the location being converted to a shopping centre.[42] The plant had expanded through the years and been a major influence in Leaside, employing over 2700 workers at its peak. It had also been a strong influence over the community in other ways, investing in the community in various ways, including the construction of a water main in 1918.[43]

East York merged with five other municipalities in 1998 to form the new City of Toronto.[5]

Line 5 Eglinton, also known as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, will have 3 stations in Leaside when opened in 2025 (est.): underground stations at Bayview Avenue and at Laird Drive, and a grade level station at Leslie Street.[44]

Geography

[edit]
Crothers Woods is a local park that is a part of the Toronto ravine system and sits south of Leaside. The neighbourhood is situated on the Iroquois Plains around the ravine system.

Leaside lies on the Iroquois Plain.[45] The actions of the glacial Lake Iroquois made the Leaside area into a flat plateau, surrounded on three sides by deep river valleys.[citation needed]

Culture

[edit]
View of the west side of Bayview Avenue at Millwood Road in 2023

Leaside is made up predominantly of single-family homes housing upper-middle-class families.[2] The most famous house in Leaside is James Lea's, located at 201 Sutherland Drive. Built in 1909, it is unique in that the back of the house faces Sutherland Drive. It was originally built to face a street that no longer exists.[citation needed]

Recreation

[edit]

The largest recreation centre in Leaside is Leaside Memorial Community Gardens which includes an indoor swimming pool, two ice rinks, a curling rink, and a large auditorium.[46]

Serena Gundy Park is in the north-east corner of Leaside.[46] The parkland was donated to Leaside in 1960 by the estate of James H. Gundy.[47] The park covers 62.6 acres (253,000 m2; 25.3 ha) which are generally in a natural state. The park is used for picnicking and hiking in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.[48] The park is also connected by walking paths to Sunnybrook Park.[49]

Trace Manes Park is in south Leaside.[46] The park is home to the Leaside Tennis club and sports six tennis courts. Other facilities in the park include a playground, a baseball diamond, and an outdoor ice rink in winter.[50]

Howard Talbot Park in south-west Leaside features two baseball diamonds.[46] Additionally it features a "splash pad", a water playground for young children.[51]

Education

[edit]

Northlea Elementary and Middle School is located on the site of the old Divadale Estate on Rumsey Road north of Eglinton Avenue. It was opened in 1944 and had 15 classrooms. In 1991–93, the school underwent extensive renovations and the school now educates over 800 students. The renovation provided additional classroom space to the school as well as a new library, and second gymnasium. The playing field is artificial turf. The school is operated by the Toronto District School Board. Northlea is a dual track school offering regular English programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, and French Immersion programs from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Northlea welcomes commuters for the impressive French Immersion programs.[citation needed]

Opened in 1945, Leaside High School is a secular English public secondary school operated by the Toronto District School Board.

Bessborough Elementary and Middle School, located close to Leaside High School in South Leaside, has offered education to those living in the older part of Leaside. St. Anselm Catholic School, also located on Bessborough Drive, opened in 1939 and presently has an enrollment of 340 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. [citation needed]

Rolph Road Elementary School, an elementary school for junior kindergarten to grade 6, is the other elementary school in the neighbourhood. Located on Rolph Road, it is in South Leaside and is a feeder school to Bessborough.[citation needed]

Leaside High School began on the top floor of Rolph Road School in 1945. The "new" high school opened in September 1948 and welcomed back local students who had been attending Lawrence Park and Jarvis Collegiate.[citation needed]

Along with the growth of these schools in the 1940s and 1950s, the growing population of Leaside also supported one of North Toronto's first preschools. Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952 in the basement of St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Leaside. In 1960 the school moved to its present 469 Merton Street location, just west of Leaside in Davisville.[citation needed]

In addition to the Toronto District School Board, three other public school boards also operate in the city. The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), is a public English separate school board; Conseil scolaire Viamonde is a secular French public school board; and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud is a French separate public school board. However, the French school boards do not operate a school in the Leaside neighbourhood.

St. Anselm Catholic School is a coeducational, Catholic, elementary school in the south of Toronto, Ontario. It was named after the philosopher and theologian of Canterbury, Saint Anselm.[52] It was established in 1939, with only 2 classrooms under principal Mary Breen. Additions to the school were made in 1943, 1947 and 1951. The library and gymnasium were added in 1966. Today the school serves students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. In 1997, the MSSB/TCDSB made funds for the school to be a two-story building. When the school was being renovated, the students were moved to 1107 Avenue Road, which is now Marshall McLuhan. The students came back to the newly renovated school in 1998.[53]

Bloorview School Authority is an educational facility physically located within the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in north Leaside, although they are each separate legal entities. The Bloorview School Authority offers various educational programs for children, some of whom are patients in the hospital. Included in the offerings is a full day program for children from junior kindergarten to grade one, based on Ontario school curriculum.[54]

Politics

[edit]

The first town council for Leaside was elected on May 8, 1913.[20] The council had five members: Randolph McRae, who served as the mayor, and Harvey Fitzsimmons, Laurence Boulton, George Saunders and Archibald McRae who served as aldermen. All were acclaimed in the election, all were employees of the Canadian Northern Railway.[citation needed]

From 1913 to 1966, Leaside had its own mayor. The last four occupants were - Howard T. Burrell (1951–1955); Charles H. Hiscott (1956–1961); Lloyd M. Dickinson (1962); Beth Nealson (1963–1966).[55]

In 1967, Leaside was amalgamated with the township of East York to form the borough of East York, from this point forward Leaside was a community within East York, and governed by the municipal council of East York. Amalgamation was opposed by Leaside residents fearing residential tax increases and the loss of the Leaside community identity. Taxes in Leaside were lower than the surrounding regions as residential taxes in Leaside were subsidized by those from industrial areas; residential taxes climbed in Leaside every year from 1967 to 1972.[56] Beth Nealson, the last mayor of Leaside ran against True Davidson (the reeve of East York) for mayor of the amalgamated borough. Nealson lost to Davidson.[57]

In 1998, East York (including Leaside) was amalgamated with the City of Toronto to form the City of Toronto, from this point forward Leaside was a community within Toronto, and governed by the municipal council of Toronto.[5]

In 2006, incumbent Don Valley West councillor Jane Pitfield, whose ward included Leaside, ran for mayor. Former Progressive Conservative MPP John Parker won her former seat in that year's election. In the 2010 Toronto municipal election that saw Rob Ford elected to the office of Mayor of Toronto, Parker won another tight race for councillor of Ward 26, beating runner up Jon Burnside by only 415 votes. After a tumultuous term of increased traffic in the neighbourhood and rapid development along the Laird Drive corridor and in Thorncliffe Park,[58] Parker lost the seat to Burnside by a margin of 3,248 votes.[59]

Mayors of the Town of Leaside

[edit]

Mayors of Leaside from the town's incorporation until its merger into East York.[60]

  • 1913-1914 Randolph McRae - former official in the Canadian Northern Railway's Land Department[61]
  • 1915-1923 Robert Phipps Ormsby - secretary of the Canadian National Railway[62]
  • 1924-1930 Herbert Horsfall - president of Canada Wire and Cable Company, co-founder of the Leaside Munitions Company,[63][64] and president of the Leaside Housing Company.[65]
  • 1931-1935 George H. Wilkinson - station agent for the Canadian Pacific Railway in Parkdale[66]
  • 1936-1937 John Scott[67]
  • 1938-1947 Henry Howard Talbot - a carpenter by trade, he started a construction business and in the 1920s, bought land in Leaside and became a land developer, building homes and a low-rise apartment building[68]
  • 1948-1950 G. Trace Manes - one of the founders of the Leaside Baseball Association,[69] Manes worked for Massey-Harris for 38 years. After serving as mayor he was a member of the Metro Planning Board[70]
  • 1951-1955 Howard T. Burrell - a chartered accountant by profession[71]
  • 1956-1961 Charles Henry Hiscott - resigned as mayor to become the town's treasurer. Subsequently worked as a bylaw enforcement officer and standards tribunal officer for East York.[72]
  • 1962 Lloyd M. Dickinson - an entrepreneur, Dickinson variously owned a plastics products firm, a real estate holding company, and in the 1970s built the first industrial condominiums in Canada.[73][74]
  • 1963-1966 Beth Nealson - a former reporter and columnist for a local newspaper, she first ran for school trustee at the urging of her colleagues in the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in 1952. Went on to be elected to Leaside council in 1959 and ran for mayor against Dickinson in the next election, defeating him by 5 votes after a recount. She became known as "Mrs. Leaside". When East York and Leaside were amalgamated she ran against East York reeve True Davidson to be mayor of the new borough in what was billed by the media as the "Battle of the Belles".[75][76]

Notable people

[edit]
  • Stephen Harper, the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, was born in Leaside and attended Northlea Public School for his primary education.[77][78]
  • Tom Pashby, was an ophthalmologist and sport safety advocate based in Leaside, who served as chairman of the Canadian Standards Association and pioneered safer helmets for ice hockey.[79]
  • Royce Frith, lawyer, diplomat, and Senator.

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Leaside

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Leaside is a residential neighbourhood in the eastern portion of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, encompassing the former Town of Leaside within the old Borough of East York. Originally settled in the early 19th century by the Lea family, who established a mill in the 1850s, the area was incorporated as the Town of Leaside on April 23, 1913, as a planned model community with a railway station to attract industry and residents. It gained prominence for its aviation heritage through the Leaside Aerodrome, site of Canada's first airmail delivery from Montreal in 1918, and later contributions to aircraft production during both world wars. The town was annexed to East York in 1967 and amalgamated into the modern City of Toronto in 1998. Today, Leaside remains an affluent, family-centric enclave defined by single-detached homes, green spaces, and local commerce, bounded approximately by Bayview Avenue to the west, the Don River to the east, Eglinton Avenue to the south, and the CN rail line to the north.

History

Early settlement and origins

The area comprising modern Leaside was initially unsettled wilderness in the early 19th century, part of York Township north of the Town of York (later Toronto). Settlement began in 1820 when John Lea, a farmer who had emigrated from Philadelphia to Upper Canada in 1819, and his wife Mary acquired Lot 13 in the Third Concession, a 200-acre parcel purchased from Alexander McDonnell on January 23. The Leas, including their son William, cleared the land for mixed farming, establishing one of the earliest Euro-Canadian homesteads in the region amid dense forests and proximity to the Don River. This pioneer effort reflected broader patterns of rural expansion in Upper Canada, driven by land grants and family labor rather than commercial speculation. The Lea farm remained the dominant feature through much of the 19th century, with the family sustaining a self-sufficient operation focused on crops, , and timber. William Lea, John's eldest son, expanded the holdings and constructed a distinctive octagonal two-storey house—capped by a smaller upper storey—between 1851 and 1854, exemplifying adapted to local materials and climate. The property's rural isolation persisted, with scant population growth; by the 1870s, the only notable intrusion was the Ontario and Quebec Railway's acquisition of a southeast corner for track extension, signaling nascent connectivity but not . Leaside's name originates directly from the Lea family, evolving from their homestead designation "Lea-side" to describe the locale. This underscores the area's agrarian roots, as Toronto's southward expansion and infrastructure demands—such as radial railways and water mains—began exerting pressure by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, transitioning farmland toward potential suburban annexation without immediate large-scale development. The Leas' tenure thus laid the foundational layer of human occupancy, preserving a character until external urban forces prompted reevaluation.

Incorporation and model town development

In 1912, following the Town of North Toronto's refusal to annex the developing area, the Canadian Northern Railway initiated plans for independent municipal status to support its envisioned residential and industrial community adjacent to its rail lines. The legislature passed Bill 55 on April 23, 1913, officially incorporating the Town of Leaside with an initial population of 43 residents. To fund essential services such as roads and utilities, the new town assumed over $150,000 in debt, reflecting early financial strains but also local determination to establish rather than rely on neighboring municipalities. The Canadian Northern Railway commissioned landscape architect Frederick G. Todd to design Leaside as a model town, drawing on Garden City principles adapted for a rail-oriented suburb. Todd's 1913 plan featured wide, tree-lined radial streets radiating from a central civic core, integrated parks, and zoning that separated residential, commercial, and industrial zones to promote orderly growth and access to green spaces. This layout emphasized self-containment, with rail proximity enabling efficient commuter access to Toronto while fostering local industry and amenities, such as planned water supply systems connected to regional sources. Leaside's incorporation underscored a commitment to autonomous development, rejecting further annexation proposals in favor of tailored urban planning that prioritized infrastructure investment and community cohesion over integration with larger entities. The railway's sale of building lots funded initial implementations, though economic challenges delayed full realization, highlighting the causal role of private initiative in shaping early suburban form without overreliance on public overreach.

Aviation era and early economic struggles

The Leaside Aerodrome, established in 1917 as Toronto's initial major airfield, served primarily as a training facility for the Royal Flying Corps during . Construction commenced on May 21, 1917, on approximately 220 acres of land between Wicksteed Avenue and East, leased from the Canadian Wire and Cable . The site facilitated pilot training, mechanics instruction, and artillery cooperation exercises, contributing to Canada's wartime efforts under British direction. Additionally, it hosted Canada's first delivery on June 23, 1918, with a flight originating from . Aviation activities spurred temporary economic activity in Leaside, including subsidiary munitions production by Canada Wire and Cable and airfield operations that attracted related industries. However, led to a sharp downturn, exacerbating the town's pre-existing financial burdens from $150,000 in debt incurred after North Toronto's 1912 refusal to annex Leaside, forcing independent funding for essential services. The 1920s saw sluggish residential development, with only 68 houses built by 1929 despite initial planning ambitions, amid broader regional economic stagnation following the Canadian Northern Railway's absorption into amid financial troubles. The intensified these pressures, contributing to near-bankruptcy conditions for Leaside and other Toronto suburbs through stalled growth and mounting municipal debts. Private initiatives, such as the Flying Club's establishment at the in 1928, prolonged its viability until closure in 1931, after which the land transitioned toward industrial and eventual residential redevelopment. This adaptive shift underscored reliance on market-driven repurposing rather than sustained public subsidies, as residential construction accelerated modestly in the late 1930s with 328 houses added in 1938.

Post-war suburban growth

Following , Leaside underwent rapid suburban expansion as returning veterans and young families sought affordable single-family housing in proximity to Toronto's employment centers. The town's population rose from 14,826 in 1949 to 16,233 by the 1951 , reflecting a surge in residential construction amid Canada's and economic recovery. This growth was bolstered by Leaside's established rail links via Leaside Station and access to arterial roads like Bayview Avenue, enabling efficient commuting to without the congestion plaguing denser urban cores. Development emphasized low-density, owner-occupied homes, with bungalows and two-storey brick detached houses constructed primarily in the and forming the bulk of new housing stock. These market-driven builds, often on pre-subdivided lots from earlier planning, catered to middle-class buyers prioritizing spacious lots and family-friendly environments over high-rise alternatives emerging elsewhere in the region. Leaside's adherence to garden suburb —integrating residential areas with limited commercial nodes while restricting multi-unit developments—fostered community stability and elevated property values, distinguishing it from unplanned, patchwork suburbs documented in contemporary analyses of Toronto's fringe growth. By the 1960s, this trajectory had solidified Leaside's reputation as a prosperous, self-sustaining enclave, where local under figures like H.H. Talbot prioritized infrastructure maintenance through property assessments rather than external aid. , including schools and utilities, expanded incrementally to match resident needs, avoiding the fiscal strains and physical observed in Toronto's aging inner-city districts amid suburban flight. This model of restrained, private-led expansion underscored empirical advantages of decentralized planning in sustaining household wealth accumulation via in an era of rising urban pressures.

Amalgamation and loss of municipal autonomy

In 1967, the provincial legislated the amalgamation of the Town of Leaside with the neighboring Township of East York, creating the Borough of East York and dissolving Leaside's independent municipal government after 54 years of operation. This merger, enacted without a in Leaside, centralized administration and eliminated the town's ability to enact policies suited to its compact, affluent residential character, imposing instead the fiscal and regulatory framework of the larger township. The process repeated on a grander scale with the 1998 amalgamation under Premier Mike Harris's Progressive Conservative government, which on January 1 merged the Borough of —encompassing Leaside—with the City of , , , Scarborough, and to form a single City of , expanding the old city's land area from 97 square kilometers to over 630 square kilometers. Despite promises of , the merger provoked widespread community resistance, including public protests and legal challenges from suburban leaders concerned about subsuming local identities and control into a distant mega-city . Empirical analyses post-amalgamation reveal no substantial cost efficiencies; instead, administrative consolidation led to higher expenditures, with fire and parks services seeing increases of up to 20% in some categories due to harmonized wage scales and overlapping structures. For Leaside residents, the outcome manifested in elevated burdens, as East York's pre-merger low operating costs and reserves—among the lowest in the region—were overridden by the new city's averaged budget, exerting ongoing fiscal pressure on higher-value properties in affluent enclaves. Over time, this centralization diminished opportunities for localized , replacing Leaside's proven model of efficient, community-responsive with broader directives that prioritized uniformity over demonstrated small-municipality effectiveness, contributing to bureaucratic expansion without corresponding service improvements.

Geography and environment

Location and boundaries

Leaside is a neighbourhood in east-central Toronto, Ontario, Canada, formerly part of the Municipality of East York, located approximately 9 kilometres northeast of downtown Toronto. Its boundaries are defined by Bayview Avenue to the west, the Belt Line Trail (a former railway corridor) to the south, the Don River valley and Leaside Bridge vicinity to the east, and Eglinton Avenue East to the north. The area occupies a compact triangular shape covering about 2.5 square kilometres. The terrain features a flat plateau resulting from sedimentary deposits of , a prehistoric proglacial lake that covered the region around 12,500 years ago, creating level ground with elevations between 150 and 170 metres above and few internal natural barriers beyond bordering ravines. This , surrounded on three sides by the Don River's deep valleys, supports efficient urban connectivity. Proximity to major transportation infrastructure enhances accessibility, including (TTC) bus routes 56 Leaside and 88 South Leaside that link to Eglinton and Donlands subway stations, as well as on-ramps to the for vehicular commuting to central .

Urban layout and green spaces

Leaside's urban layout adheres closely to its original 1913 garden city plan designed by landscape architect Frederick G. Todd, featuring an orthogonal street grid with wide boulevards, generous residential lots typically measuring 50 by 150 feet, and substantial building setbacks that create a low-density, spacious character. This configuration minimizes through traffic on interior streets, as major arterials like Bayview Avenue and Laird Drive handle most regional flow, thereby fostering inherent and pedestrian-friendly conditions within the neighborhood's core. Green spaces form an integral part of Leaside's preserved layout, with local parks such as the 4.9-hectare Howard Talbot Park providing multipurpose fields, tracks, and recreational areas, while the neighborhood abuts the larger Sunnybrook Park to the north, encompassing ravine trails and natural habitats. Together with valley buffers and tree-lined setbacks, these features contribute to 10-15% green cover across the area, bolstering urban through native tree stands like sugar maple and , and enabling passive recreation amid a densely built urban context. The flood-vulnerable Don River valley delineates Leaside's eastern edge, where early 20th-century engineering included dikes and setback provisions in the foundational plan to contain periodic overflows, reflecting deliberate site-responsive measures that have sustained habitable development along the rim without extensive later alterations. Preservation of these spatial elements underscores ongoing efforts to retain the neighborhood's engineered equilibrium between built form and natural constraints.

Demographics and society

Leaside's population at incorporation as a town on April 23, 1913, was 43 residents. By 1941, it had increased to over 6,000 inhabitants.
YearPopulation
1955~17,000
1960>16,000
The population continued to expand through the mid-20th century, reaching these figures amid development, before stabilizing after into larger municipalities. In the Leaside-Bennington neighbourhood, which encompasses Leaside, the 2016 census recorded 16,828 residents, reflecting a -1.1% change from 2011. By 2021, the population stood at approximately 16,282, indicating ongoing stability with minor fluctuations attributable to infill development. This equates to a low of 3,596 persons per , below the City of Toronto's average. The 2021 data highlight a family-oriented composition, with significant proportions in age groups suitable for households with children, such as 25-54 years (majority adults).

Socioeconomic characteristics

In Leaside-Bennington, the median household income before taxes stood at $148,000 in 2020, substantially exceeding the Toronto citywide median of $84,000. The corresponding median after-tax figure was $123,000, approximately 63% higher than Toronto's $74,000, reflecting a concentration of high-earning households. This disparity aligns with 67% of Leaside households reporting after-tax incomes over $100,000, versus 28% citywide. Educational attainment is elevated, with over 50% of adults aged 25-64 holding degrees or higher, surpassing Toronto's rate of 46.5% for bachelor's degrees or above. The neighborhood attracts white-collar professionals in fields like , , and , contributing to occupational stability and self-selection for family-oriented environments. Poverty rates remain low at under 5% for families, well below Toronto's overall child and family rate of around 20% in recent years. Family structures emphasize two-parent households with children under 18 predominant, supporting homeownership rates exceeding 70% amid predominantly single-detached dwellings. This contrasts with Toronto's citywide homeownership of 51.9%, underscoring Leaside's appeal to stable, dual-income families.
Metric (2020/2021)Leaside-BenningtonToronto Citywide
Median after-tax household income$123,000$74,000
University degree or higher (25-64 yrs)>50%46.5%
Homeownership rate>70%51.9%
Family poverty rate<5%~20% (children/families)

Urban planning and development

Principles of the original plan

The original plan for Leaside, developed in 1912 and approved by the Canadian Northern Railway on May 8, 1913, was designed by landscape architect Frederick Todd as a self-contained integrated with rail infrastructure. Drawing on Garden City principles, the blueprint emphasized radial residential streets, green spaces, and deliberate separation of land uses to foster orderly growth and minimize urban dysfunctions like and incompatible adjacencies. This market-responsive approach prioritized property value preservation through that confined industrial activities east of Laird Drive, residential development to the west, and commercial strips along key arterials, thereby creating scarcity of developable land and enforcing quality standards. Central to the plan's causal logic was the embedding of rail connectivity for efficient worker commuting, with the Leaside station facilitating access to without reliance on automobiles—a that anticipated later critiques of car-dependent suburbs by promoting transit-oriented . Gently curving and cul-de-sac-like terminations further reduced through-traffic in residential zones, enhancing livability and while supporting higher per-lot values through reduced wear and aesthetic appeal. The plan's empirical outcomes demonstrate its viability, as Leaside's controlled supply and superior layout have contributed to sustained property appreciation, with median home prices reaching over $1.4 million by 2023 amid Toronto's broader market pressures, outperforming many unplanned areas due to preserved scarcity and design integrity. This long-term success stems from the blueprint's first-mover enforcement of use separations and infrastructure synergies, which preempted sprawl and externalities that plague less regulated developments.

Architectural features and housing stock

Leaside's housing stock is characterized by single-detached homes constructed primarily between the 1920s and 1950s, which constitute about 55% of the total dwellings. These include one-storey bungalows and two-storey houses, often featuring durable red brick facades, symmetrical or asymmetrical designs with Tudor Revival elements such as half-timbering and infill, and placement on spacious lots averaging 40-50 feet wide to promote garden suburb aesthetics. Semi-detached homes account for roughly 12% of the stock, many built in the late as affordable alternatives during the development boom, while row houses represent only 1%. Multi-family options, including low-rise apartments and condos at 21% and high-rises at 8%, remained scarce until the , preserving the neighborhood's cohesive scale and uniformity of low-density built forms. Early examples like the Garden Court Apartments (1939-1941) introduced modernist walk-ups but were exceptions amid the dominance of family-oriented detached housing. Heritage designations safeguard select structures, such as the former Leaside Municipal Building and Fire Hall at 231-235 McRae Drive, constructed in the 1910s-1920s as the town's administrative core and protected under the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural and architectural value. These protections, alongside the broader recognition of Leaside as a designed cultural heritage landscape, emphasize period-specific materials and forms—favoring robust brick over postwar generic modernism—to sustain long-term structural integrity and visual harmony.

Contemporary intensification debates

In the 2020s, Leaside has faced ongoing debates over urban intensification, particularly proposals for taller residential towers along arterial roads like Bayview Avenue and Millwood Road, which proponents argue are necessary to address Toronto's housing shortage but opponents contend would erode the neighborhood's low-rise character, increase traffic congestion, and cast shadows on adjacent properties. A notable example occurred in 2024 at 1837-1845 Bayview Avenue, where initial plans for a 25-storey building were scaled back to 22 storeys following resident appeals and a settlement approved by Toronto City Council on April 11, 2024, reflecting successful community efforts to mitigate perceived overreach while still permitting moderate density. Similarly, a 2025 resubmission for 922 Millwood Road increased the proposed height from five to eight storeys, prompting renewed opposition from the Leaside Residents Association over compatibility with surrounding single-family homes. These tensions highlight trade-offs between densification for affordability—such as Mayor Olivia Chow's November 2024 push for as-of-right along avenues to enable mid-rise buildings—and preservation of Leaside's established urban form, with residents citing inadequate transitions to nearby low-rise areas as a key concern. Critics, including analysts, have labeled such pushback as NIMBYism that delays projects and exacerbates city-wide supply constraints, though Leaside-specific developments remain limited in scale compared to broader growth zones. Enforcement gaps in environmental protections have further fueled debates, exemplified by a July 2025 incident where a developer illegally felled an 80-year-old tree on a Leaside lot without a permit to facilitate a fourplex, prompting a investigation and resident over lost canopy cover. A second unauthorized removal in September 2025 underscored perceived lax oversight of heritage trees amid development pressures, leading calls from groups like the Leaside Residents Association for stricter bylaws to balance growth with ecological integrity. Despite these conflicts, community advocacy has preserved much of Leaside's core as low-rise, with scaled approvals demonstrating a pragmatic middle ground rather than blanket rejection of intensification.

Economy

Real estate market dynamics

In 2025, the average sale price for detached homes in Leaside exceeded $2 million CAD, with May transactions averaging $2,388,227 and September figures reaching $2,400,750, reflecting sustained demand amid Toronto's broader constraints. This premium pricing stems from family-oriented buyers prioritizing the area's established public schools, low crime rates, and walkable layout, which preserve its appeal as a stable suburban enclave within the city. Compared to Toronto's citywide detached home average of $1.36 million in early 2025, Leaside's values underscore localized resilience. Leaside exhibits low housing turnover and inventory levels, with a balanced market showing approximately five months of supply in 2025 and properties often selling within 13 days of listing, signaling tight over supply. Annual appreciation has averaged 2-4% in recent months, outpacing Toronto's variable citywide gains amid fluctuations, largely due to consistent that limits new supply and maintains neighborhood character. Following the 1998 , which integrated Leaside into the structure, property values retained upward trajectory despite initial adjustments tied to assessments, with residential taxes stabilizing near pre-amalgamation projections through wealth effects from appreciation. Critics, including analyses from the , argue that amalgamation failed to deliver promised efficiencies, contributing to higher per-capita administrative costs and policy-driven inflationary pressures on housing via expanded bureaucracy and land-use mandates. These dynamics have amplified Leaside's value retention, as protections insulated it from citywide intensification pushes that elsewhere eroded single-family premiums.

Local commerce and employment

Leaside's local commerce is characterized by small-scale retail and service-oriented businesses to residents' daily needs, with a prominent concentration along Laird Drive. Leaside Village, an open-air shopping centre at 85 Laird Drive spanning 120,000 square feet, features tenants such as for apparel, Subway and for quick-service food, and other essentials including grocery and banking options like . These outlets emphasize neighborhood convenience over large corporate formats, supporting a viable local economy through accessible, pedestrian-friendly strips rather than expansive malls. Vestiges of light industry remain in zones tracing back to the Leaside Aerodrome era (1917–1931), where early activities spurred ancillary and warehousing. Today, these areas host limited industrial operations amid a shift toward mixed commercial uses, reflecting a decline in heavy in favor of service-aligned activities. The neighborhood's landscape underscores a highly educated, outward-commuting , with 64% of residents aged 25–64 holding a or higher as of 2016. Unemployment stood at 7.0% that year, below broader averages, with an rate of 63.6% and labour force participation of 68.4%. Dominant sectors include finance and insurance (8.6%), and services (13.0%), and professional/other services (28.4%), alongside modest shares in wholesale/retail (7.3%) and (3.0%), indicating limited dependence on government roles. Commuting patterns reveal heavy reliance on external job markets, with 60% of workers driving alone and 24% using public transit; only 16% report commutes under 15 minutes, while 13% exceed 60 minutes, pointing to professional opportunities in over local . This structure, buoyed by residents' skills in high-value fields, fosters stability amid economic fluctuations, as evidenced by sector diversification away from cyclical industries.

Government and politics

Pre-amalgamation governance

The Town of Leaside was incorporated on April 23, 1913, via Bill 55 passed by the Ontario Legislature, establishing it as an independent municipality with a population of approximately 43 residents. The inaugural , consisting of a and six councillors, was elected on May 8, 1913, initiating a structure centered on localized decision-making for a planned suburban community. This system enabled direct oversight of essential services, including a town-operated police department managed by since inception, which addressed the needs of a low-density residential and emerging industrial area. Fiscal management emphasized prudence, particularly after recovery from during the in the 1930s. Post-World War II expansion, fueled by industrial assessments exceeding 50% of the tax base, positioned Leaside with the lowest property taxes among Metropolitan Toronto's 13 municipalities by the 1950s and 1960s. In 1962, the tax rate for average homeowners rose by only 25 cents, funding tailored suburban services such as , parks, and road maintenance through cost-sharing with the metropolitan level while preserving low local expenditures. The town's leadership resisted annexation by larger neighbors, including North Toronto's refusal in 1912, which prompted independent incorporation to safeguard over and services. This stance extended into the mid-20th century, culminating in the 1967 amalgamation with East York Township to form the Borough of —retaining some local representation (two councillors) rather than full integration with —until the province overrode suburban opposition in 1998. Such structures underscored efficient, resident-focused governance suited to Leaside's scale, avoiding the administrative complexities of broader urban mergers until mandated.

Key mayors and leadership

The Town of Leaside was incorporated on April 23, 1913, with Randolph McRae serving as its inaugural mayor, overseeing the initial establishment of municipal governance and early infrastructure amid a population of just 43 residents. McRae's leadership focused on foundational development, including the planning of residential and industrial zones in line with garden city principles, which laid the groundwork for Leaside's orderly expansion as a self-contained community. Subsequent mayors emphasized infrastructure improvements and community facilities without recorded instances of fiscal scandal or mismanagement, reflecting a pattern of pragmatic administration that prioritized balanced budgets and essential services. For example, Henry Howard Talbot, a local builder who later became , spearheaded the development of the Memorial Community Gardens—now featuring ice rinks and a curling facility—as a key recreational asset during the mid-20th century. In the postwar period, Charles H. Hiscott held the mayoralty from 1956 to 1961, guiding steady growth in housing and local amenities while maintaining Leaside's reputation for fiscal restraint. Beth Nealson, elected in 1962 as Leaside's first female mayor after eight years on council, served through 1966 and earned the moniker "Mrs. Leaside" for her effective stewardship during contentious amalgamation negotiations with . Under Nealson, the town resisted merger pressures to preserve its low-tax, high-service model, though provincial decree led to annexation effective January 1, 1967.
TermMayor
1913–?Randolph McRae
1954–1955Howard T. Burrell
1956–1961Charles H. Hiscott
1962Lloyd M. Dickinson
1963–1966Beth Nealson
This partial record of mayors underscores Leaside's leadership tradition of conservative budgeting and infrastructure focus, which contrasted with fiscal strains emerging in larger municipalities amid rapid and pre-amalgamation debates.

Electoral patterns and civic engagement

Leaside's pre-amalgamation status as an independent town fostered a tradition of local governance emphasizing fiscal prudence and community control, with its council voting against integration into in 1997 to preserve autonomy. Following the 1998 amalgamation into Toronto, electoral participation in wards encompassing Leaside, such as Ward 15, has aligned with suburban preferences for candidates prioritizing fiscal restraint and infrastructure maintenance over expansive urban policies, as evidenced by strong support for Rob Ford's mayoral victory in outer neighborhoods. Civic activism remains robust through ratepayer groups like the Leaside Residents Association (LRA), which opposes developments exceeding sensible mid-rise scales, citing impacts on neighborhood character from excessive height and massing. The LRA, for example, backed city staff recommendations against the 134 Laird Drive zoning amendment and site plan in the . Similarly, the Leaside Property Owners Association successfully campaigned against the apartment redevelopment, highlighting traffic and density concerns. In the , residents challenged taller tower proposals at sites like those near Bayview Avenue, threatening appeals to the city over perceived procedural oversights. These efforts underscore a pattern of grassroots opposition to intensification variances, favoring preservation of low-density . The neighborhood's low crime profile reinforces this self-reliant ethos, with overall rates 72% below the Canadian average and violent crimes 71% lower, suggesting effective community norms over heavy reliance on municipal policing. Such patterns indicate geared toward intervention, prioritizing property rights and in local decision-making.

Community and culture

Recreation and amenities

Leaside Park, a 3.4-hectare green space located near Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard, offers residents a lit ball diamond, six lit courts, a multipurpose sports field, and a children's , facilitating organized sports and casual play. The Leaside Gardens, established in on land donated by the Lea family, serves as a central hub with an indoor featuring wheelchair-accessible lifts and elevators, a double-pad ice arena operated by a volunteer board, and facilities that enable year-round indoor . ![Crothers Woods in Toronto][float-right] The Leaside Tennis Club, based in Trace Manes Park with access to six courts, supports community programs including daytime and evening teams competing in the Ladies Tennis League and Intercounty Tennis League, contributing to structured athletic engagement. Leaside's park system includes 10 tennis courts, 10 rinks, four ball diamonds, three dog parks, and six playgrounds, infrastructure that aligns with elevated sports participation rates among its family-oriented population. Proximity to ravines such as Sunnybrook Ravine and Crothers Woods provides trails for , enhancing outdoor access without reliance on vehicular travel.

Education system

Leaside's public education falls under the (TDSB), serving students from junior kindergarten through Grade 12 across several institutions. Primary and junior schools such as Northlea Elementary and Middle School (JK-8) demonstrate strong academic performance, with an average EQAO achievement level of 3.1 out of 4 across reading, writing, and mathematics assessments, exceeding the TDSB average of 2.8. Glenview Senior Public School (Grades 7-8) offers English, French Immersion, and Extended French tracks, contributing to the area's emphasis on and technology integration. At the secondary level, Leaside High School enrolls approximately 900-1,000 students and ranks highly among Ontario schools, earning an 8.7 out of 10 score in the Fraser Institute's 2023 secondary school report card based on EQAO mathematics and Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test results. The TDSB reports overall graduation rates reaching 86% in recent cohorts, with Leaside's affluent demographics and school performance suggesting rates exceeding provincial and board averages, alongside high postsecondary progression—evidenced by fewer than 5% of Leaside High graduates opting for college over university in surveyed classes. Private schools are accessible nearby, including (JK-12, girls' IB school), Crescent School (Grades 3-12, boys'), and TFS Canada's International School, providing alternatives with specialized curricula for families seeking non-public options. Pre-amalgamation (before 1998), local East York boards funded school maintenance via property taxes, enabling targeted investments; post-amalgamation under TDSB and provincial grants, funding stabilized but shifted toward centralized allocation, prompting community discussions on maintenance needs for aging facilities. Local groups, such as the Canadian Federation of University Women Leaside-, advocate for and resources, reflecting ongoing resident engagement in school policy.

Notable people

Stephen Harper (born April 30, 1959), the 22nd serving from 2006 to 2015, was born in Leaside and resided at 332 Bessborough Drive during his early childhood, attending Northlea Public School. Margaret Atwood (born November 18, 1939), the acclaimed author of works including , graduated from in 1957 after attending local schools in the area during her formative years. (born May 4, 1970), actor known for roles in and voice work in , graduated from following earlier expulsions from other institutions.

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  111. https://www.zoocasa.com/school/northlea-elementary-and-middle-school-tdsb
  112. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5298
  113. https://www.canadianuniversityrealestate.com/blog/toronto-high-schools-ranking/
  114. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1206/TDSB-Graduation-Rate-Increases-to-All-Time-High
  115. https://leasidelife.com/why-are-so-many-leaside-high-students-down-on-college-vs-university/
  116. https://giuliagallina.com/blog/the-12-best-private-schools-in-leaside
  117. https://leasidelife.com/old-schools-need-new-money/
  118. https://www.cfuwleasideeastyork.ca/whoweare/
  119. https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/for-stephen-harper-a-stable-upbringing-and-an-unpredictable-path-to-power/article_2fc2e5ec-407e-5a25-8736-cd007aaca108.html
  120. https://www.alberta.ca/aoe-stephen-harper
  121. https://leasidelife.com/leaside-high-as-seen-by-margaret-atwood/
  122. https://www.blogto.com/arts/2021/10/margaret-atwood-yearbook/
  123. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/will-arnett-is-finally-sort-of-growing-up/article1150277/
  124. https://macleans.ca/culture/jim-arnett-and-will-arnett/
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